A quarter of over-50s are putting off a dream trip because of work and grandparent duties.
Research of 2,000 adults in their sixth decade and beyond revealed 25 per cent feel stuck in a ‘travel limbo’, being held back by (37 per cent) and or mobility concerns (22 per cent).
Over-50s are putting off their dream trips for grandparent duties Credit: SWNS
Research revealed a quarter of over-50s feel stuck in ‘travel limbo’ Credit: SWNS
Money was also the biggest barrier to travelling the world when they were younger (47 per cent), whereas 23 per cent were stopped by work commitments and 22 per cent said raising children paused plans.
Top trips on the travel list yet to be taken include seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland (25 per cent) and taking a luxury train journey across Europe (20 per cent).
But 34 per cent were more inspired to travel now than they were in earlier years, with 47 per cent saying they are keen to make up for lost time.
Meanwhile, 32 per cent said having more money and feeling like it’s now or never shaped their changing perspective (38 per cent).
Niel Alobaidi, CEO of Newmarket , which commissioned the research as part of its campaign to champion ‘pretirement sabbaticals’, said: “The data clearly shows that over-50s are caught in a travel limbo.
“The retirement age may have slipped a little farther away, but their urge to explore the world certainly hasn’t. Instead, many find themselves trapped between the fear of age-based discrimination if they step away from their careers, and the burning desire to travel.
“That is exactly why we have launched this campaign alongside Mark and Margo, who embody the spirit that adventure doesn’t come with an expiration date.
“By formalising our own sabbatical policy, we want to lead by example, proving that enabling older working Britons to recharge actually keeps them in the workforce longer and fights burnout.
“For those mature travellers who do make the leap, we know that taking an extended break can feel daunting logistically. Newmarket Holidays is designed to strip that stress away entirely.”
The study also found on average, the last time they took a holiday of longer than two weeks was more than six years ago.
However, 25 per cent said they fear taking an extended period off would lead to them being permanently excluded from the job market.
The OnePoll.com study found 20 per cent would be more loyal to their employer if they offered a ‘pretirement sabbatical’ policy.
Mark and Margo from this year’s , shared their top tips for travelling later in life.
MARK AND MARGO'S TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELLING LATER IN LIFE
- Stop waiting for the “right time”
It’s easy to think you’ll travel “one day”, after work slows down, after the mortgage is paid, after retirement, but life doesn’t always stick to our timetable. Take that trip now, because the memories you make, the confidence you gain and the people you meet become part of your life today. - Choose ease over proving a point
On Race Across the World we spent weeks making hundreds of decisions every day: where to go, how to get there, where to stay, what to do next. After decades of organising work, family and everyday life, there’s a real luxury in simply switching off and enjoying the journey. - Leave room for the unexpected
Years later, you’ll remember the people far more than the places. Some of our favourite memories aren’t famous landmarks at all, they were chatting to people in tiny cafés, wandering through local markets and laughing with shopkeepers. These are the moments that stay with you. - Travel is better when it’s shared
Travelling with other people adds something really special to the experience, you’re surrounded by people who are curious, interested in the world and ready to make the most of this stage of life. - Don’t underestimate what you’re capable of
People sometimes talk as though adventure belongs to the young, but we couldn’t disagree more. One of the joys of travelling later in life is that you’ve stopped trying to impress anyone, you know what you enjoy, you appreciate comfort, and you value unique experiences.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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